Jessica Guynn

Facebook, the world's most popular social network, released statistics on the makeup of its workforce that do not reflect the demographics of its users around the globe.

The lopsided numbers are just the latest from a major Silicon Valley company to paint a stark picture of an industry sector dominated by white men and are sure to escalate an already heated debate over the lack of diversity in the tech industry.

Nearly 70 per cent of Facebook employees are men and 57 per cent are white. Asians make up 34 per cent of employees. But Hispanics represent just 4 percent and African Americans are just 2 per cent of Facebook's workforce.

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When it comes to technical employees, the numbers are even more grim. Eighty-five per cent are male, 53 per cent white and 41 per cent Asian. Hispanics make up just 3 per cent and African Americans just 1 per cent of the workforce.

At the top of the company, the statistics are no better. Seventy-seven percent of senior level employees are men, 74 per cent are white and 19 per cent are Asian. Hispanics account for 4 per cent and African Americans for 2 per cent of employees in high level positions.

"We build products to connect the world, and this means we need a team that understands and reflects many different communities, backgrounds and cultures," Maxine Williams, Facebook's global head of diversity, said in a blog post.

Technology is a key driver of the US economy. It makes the products from iPhones to Google search that Americans use every day. Yet the companies that make these products do not mirror the demographics of the United States in race, gender or age.

The pressure is especially high for Facebook. Its users span races and cultures around the globe, and the majority of Facebook users are women, making it crucial for Facebook to have a diverse workforce, said Stanford fellow Vivek Wadhwa, author of the upcoming book Innovating Women.

Facebook finds itself in a bigger and brighter spotlight because its No. 2 executive is Sheryl Sandberg, one of Silicon Valley's most prominent female leaders and the author of the best seller Lean In.

She told USA TODAY earlier this month that the lack of diversity in male-dominated corporate America is "pretty depressing."

"Clearly Facebook has to step up now and do something about these numbers. They have to lead, not follow," Wadhwa said. "And not because it doesn't look good or that Sheryl Sandberg has been so vocal on this issue. Facebook has to do this for its own good and for its long-term growth."

For years Silicon Valley companies have resisted sharing diversity statistics with the public. But in recent weeks several companies led by Google released numbers under pressure from civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. He appeared at the shareholder meetings of Google and Facebook to demand the companies release the information.

"They must set specific, measurable goals, targets and timetables," Jackson said in a statement. "We will measure their results and hold companies publicly accountable."

Silicon Valley likes to think of itself as a meritocracy, a place where anyone with smarts, initiative and a great idea can make it, regardless of race, nation of origin, religion, politics, socioeconomic background or sexual orientation.

But statistics released by Facebook, Google and LinkedIn have exposed a stark reality: Hispanics and African Americans are still not taking part in this digital revolution.

Wadhwa says he gives credit to these companies for "coming clean" and taking steps to diversify their work forces.

Facebook says last year it launched a diversity team which has led to more hires and lower attrition for underrepresented groups. It has also formed partnerships with key groups to find more women and people of colour. It's also offering training to employees in unconscious bias.

"We have a long way to go, but we're absolutely committed to achieving greater diversity at Facebook and across the industry," Williams said.

12 comments so far

And what if white men are the most commonly drawn to the industry or simply have the best skills? Shock, horror, different demographics have different skills but any time it might be white men who are the ones in question, it is racist and sexist. What next? We must do something about the lack of racial diversity in the NBA and get more white men in the league? Yeah, thought not.

Commenter

Steve

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 9:49AM

We need more male wet nurses too, its such a one sided profession!

Commenter

Melong

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 10:57AM

So what? isn't it the best person for the job? the face of hairdressing is female and is that going to change? the face of childcare is female is that going to change? Is this surprising - no because schools are saying maths and science are mostly boys so if there is a desire for change this is where it needs to start to ensure that it is always the best person for the job

Commenter

mnmk

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 10:15AM

I guess us white males should check our privilege for the 50th time this week

Commenter

sign

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 10:42AM

I'm all for diversity, but when approx 50% of your population is white, then whats wrong with the workplace resembling that? It is a male dominated industry though and we definitely need more women to be encouraged to take up the trade.

Commenter

Lazor

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 11:05AM

Who would have though that a company founded by white males owning a social networking site invented by white males, would be statistically disproportionately be ran and staffed by white males. The fact that users are more diverse is irrelevant, since the content is provided by users. The company just provides a platform and the idea that a white man needs some diverse opinion design a platform for Hispanic women to share content on is bizarre

Commenter

Mick

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 11:29AM

So, should we all just quit so people who have no interest in the job should take over? That'll work.

Commenter

Swarley

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 11:39AM

Who cares? It's like this with all techie jobs - most women just aren't interested.

Commenter

Blake

Location

Sydney

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 1:11PM

I think the big point here is that a majority of Facebook users are female and they are using a website that is predominately designed by men.

All seems a bit lopsided to me.

Commenter

rallygreg

Date and time

June 27, 2014, 6:58PM

Why does it matter who designed it? If the majority of users are women, then is must appeal to them, therefore the designers got it right.

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